Slick shed the skin last night. Now what?

[Roger Wildcat]

The shed skin measured 14.5 inches in length and Slick does look a little bit more shiny then usual. Slick never showed any sign of shedding, so I was surprised to see skin in the enclosure this morning. So, it brings up a few questions in my mind about snakes after they shed.

Are snakes generally more sensitive to touch after shedding? It is ok to handle the snake? How about the appetite, are they generally hungry or just not in the mood to eat? How many inches will they grow before they shed again and how long before the next shedding?

[guidofatherof5]

The shed skin measured 14.5 inches in length and Slick does look a little bit more shiny then usual. Slick never showed any sign of shedding, so I was surprised to see skin in the enclosure this morning. So, it brings up a few questions in my mind about snakes after they shed.

Are snakes generally more sensitive to touch after shedding? It is ok to handle the snake? How about the appetite, are they generally hungry or just not in the mood to eat? How many inches will they grow before they shed again and how long before the next shedding?

I've never noticed a sensitivity to touch after shedding.

I don't see a problem with handling them after a shed. Just my opinion.

Some snakes will not eat during the end time of a shed so when the shed takes place they are hungry. Many of my snakes eat all the way through a shed cycle.
Many of my snakes are hungry all the time anyway.
Shed cycle and growth cycles are an individual snake thing along with the amount of food they are given and the frequency.

I wouldn't use a shed as an accurate way to measure a snake. As a rule sheds are longer than the snake actually is.

[RedSidedSPR]

I never heard of the sensitivity.. mine defiantly doesn't do that.. he actually seems to be calmer and hungrier the week right after a shed then any other time.. Can;t help ya there. Weird.

I wouldn't use a shed as an accurate way to measure a snake. As a rule sheds are longer than the snake actually is.

oh... shucks I guess my snake is more like 23 inches... he's too jumpy to stretch him out... how do you measure?

[d_virginiana]

Mine usually won't eat between the time his eyes go blue and the time he sheds. Then he eats like there's no tomorrow as soon as he sheds. I've also noticed that he spends almost all of his time in his hide right before a shed, and then is way more active right after. Never noticed any sensitivity or anything after a shed.. Just a lot more energy.

[ConcinusMan]

It's just not a good time to mess with snakes. The time when their eyes go cloudy up until a day or two after they shed. They're going to be cranky and/or jumpy. It's a cycle, and every guy knows not to mess with his girl, errr.. snake, when it's going through it's cycle.

Like Steve said, you can't measure a snake by it's skin. Try this: Apps

Let them make the first move. After they shed, they will likely come out and start being inquisitive/exploring/watching. That's a good time to offer them something. Same applies to your girl."Roger that"

[kibakiba]

You hit the nail on the head Richard ... About girls that is.

My snakes will take food even when they're shedding. That is, in the middle of a shed. When I did that, I didn't realize she was shedding, she was half buried,and came up to my hand.

[ConcinusMan]

You hit the nail on the head Richard ... About girls that is.

Now if I could just find a pretty woman that doesn't mind braining/chopping pinkies, digging for worms, loves snakes, and poking dead things with a stick, I'd have it made.

Until then, it's me an my slithery garter girls. I think Miss Piggy would get jealous anyway.

[Mommy2many]

Now if I could just find a pretty woman that doesn't mind braining/chopping pinkies, digging for worms, loves snakes, and poking dead things with a stick, I'd have it made.

They are out there. I love snakes, digging for worms, hunting slugs and chopping up pinkies and fish; however, I am already spoken for. Gotta keep looking. You'd be surprised at how many girls grew up catching garter snakes.

(For you and yours with their minds in the gutter, Cut it OUT!)

[ConcinusMan]

(For you and yours with their minds in the gutter, Cut it OUT!)

Oh shoot! How did you know?

[Hazeldarc]

my garter Pandora is in her shed cycle now her eyes are fully clouded also but i need to know if i should worry about the fact she wont eat and she hasnt for like a week and a half almost two when she shed before she would still eat so this time im puzzled....